Tuesday, October 28, 2008

I don’t want to dwell on the uncertainty of the times--only what we’re doing to surf through them! Let’s talk comfort, whether it be food, drink, or entertainment.

Under the food category, sub-labeled “I Did This For You,” I tried out the recipe for Microwave Chocolate Cake in a Mug. My verdict: YUK! It was rubbery and tasteless, even though I added chocolate chips. If you’re hard up for chocolate, just eat the chips by themselves. However, if you still want to try it out, the recipe can be found here:

http://caloriecount.about.com/chocolate-cake-mug-ft118846

Instead, though, I suggest picking up the single-serving microwave cakes from Betty Crocker at the grocery store. Son 2 and I tried these out for you, the chocolate-chocolate and the chocolate-caramel. They’re easy and fast and actually tasty. But expensive. Look for them on sale.

In the drink department, Surfer Guy and I took a short drive on Sunday afternoon to a local winery and did some tasting. Fun! We had six tastings, got to keep our glass, and it wasn’t enough to make us tipsy…just sleepy by the time we got home. But it smelled good in the cellar and the temp was cool (outdoors it’s been in the 90s here in SoCal) and we also munched on a few pieces of bread dipped in boutique olive oils. Okay, we could have sat at home and guzzled a couple of bottles of medium-priced wine by the time we paid for the tasting and the gas to get there, but our trek was better than doing that since we also avoided watching our football team lose (again).

Entertainment is yet another avenue to comfort. I can zone out on endless Law & Order episodes or put in a favorite movie like Love, Actually or The Return of the King. But for me, nothing is better than a comfort read. This weekend I re-read Lisa Kleypas’s Blue-Eyed Devil (a contemporary) and earlier in the week it was her Devil in Winter (a historical). Any “classic” Linda Howard will do the job for me, though I just re-read Cover of Night, which is fairly recent--2006. However, Mackenzie’s Mountain and Duncan’s Bride are two at the core of my comfort read shelf.

I do have some "comfort books" and some books I reread every year. I reread TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD every year. Also, A CIVIL CAMPAIGN and a couple of Ellis Peters' Cadfael books and one or two Dick Francis books.

This year, I'm going to reread all of my Tony Hillerman novels. I was so sad to hear that he died. (more on that on my own blog)

As for comfort movies. Well, I tend to go for the cry-your-eyes-out movies, or very silly comedies.

In the first category--OUT OF AFRICA tops the list, followed by CASSABLANCA and VALMONT.

In the second--WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING is # 1, followed by EMMA (Gweneth Paltrow version) BEST IN SHOW, and DROP DEAD GORGEOUS.

As for TV shows, I like a certain political humor show, but that has been wearing thin. I'm ready for the elections to be over already.

Cyndi: I so love Blue-Eyed Devil too! And I'm with you on the chocolate chip cookies. Must watch 27 Dresses. As I live in an all-male world, I don't get much enthusiasm when I suggest this. Will have to watch it by myself.

Helen: You have never read a book twice?! I don't know if I've ever asked anyone that question. I just assumed everyone re-read their favorites.

Love that version of P&P, BTW. There's a shot where he touches her hand as she's getting in (out?) of a carriage that makes me swoon.

Fiona: I also am ready for the elections to be over. I didn't know Tony Hillerman died! I heard him speak several years ago in Santa Fe. I've only read a couple of his books and now I'll have to read some more.

Also love Emma.

And now I want chili, despite it being so hot here (predicted to be in the 90s again today.

Boutique olive oils? Did you go to the Olive Press at Jacuzzi winery? We did after RWA and because I can't drink (my meds don't play well with alcohol) I sampled all the olive oils and had 4 bottles shipped back home.

Glad you were the canary down the mine shaft on that chocolate cake recipe. Now I won't have to fix it. My comfort food is bread (and if it's dipped in olive oil, all the better!). If it's warm from the oven, it's even more comforting. Slather it with butter and I'll be damn near comatose.

I got hooked on Law and Order SVU when I was laid up after foot surgery earlier this year. Love that show.

Books do it for me too. I rarely re-read books, but a category romance by one of my favorite authors can make the worst day disappear.

I'm a hot tea drinker. I like Earl Grey with sugar and milk. I like some herbals. I like chai. No, I LOVE chai. I'm learning to like rooibos. If I have an upset tummy, out comes the mint tea.

I'm going to do NaNoWriMo next month. I need to find something to get me through that. LOL!

My comfort food is a nice stew with cornbread...I love it especially with the weather turning cold finally here in Cali...Another one of my comfort foods which I need to avoid like a bad habit, corn chips. I'll eat a whole bag. During these difficult times, and news full of bad news, I just avoid the news. I have black out days, usually Friday, Saturday and Sunday...I just feel like I need a break. Leewww.chasingheroes.com

Well, I had a bad day yesterday. I had to go be the hachet man for one of my clients. :/ I had to cut someone full-time to true part-time and cut everyone else's salary by 10%.

When I got home, I got into my jammies and went in my quilting studio. It's a stress reducer.

I also will veg in front of the TV if there is something good.

I was so stressed last night, I forgot Dancing With the Stars was on. And I love that.

I'll do food and books. I'm working on a C.S. Friedman book now. If I want to go back and just grab something really familiar and comforting, I'll pull a Georgette Heyer, one of Stephanie Laurens' first 4-6 Cynster books or fantasy from Anne Bishop.

I don't usually read books twice either. Sorry. ::wince:: But occasionally I do skim one again to refresh my memory on details.

As for comfort, I do like TV-- there are several great new shows on, like Fringe and My Own Worse Enemy. And there are the old favorites: Chuck, Life, Sarah Connor Chronicles, Bones, CSI, and House. Eureka is already off for the season. sigh.

Then there are movies. . . certain ones i laugh at every time I see them. . . Lake Placid, Evolution, Big Trouble. . . and the action ones that are guilty pleasures, like Shoot 'Em Up with Clive Owen.Thank heaven for HBO and Showtime.

Foodwise. . . homemade soups and pasta and anything with CHEESE. Only I don't get much of the carb-y things these days, so I have to make it count. There are days I'd kill for some lasagne. Chili is a fall favorite, as is hot cider.

I love Comedy Central and the History Central. I can spend a whole day watching old episode of History's Mysteries. All I need are some chips and Coke. I love rereading Julie Garwood's historicals and Lisa Kleypas' Bow Street series.

It's quite a concept and has already shown some original twists and turns. . . the two half both taunting and helping each other. Not quite the usual Hollywood formula. And Slater is sooooo convincing.

You're right, cabernets can get very expensive but there are plenty of unexpensive ones out there too. Many times we get them on sale to try them out and find some favorites that way. And it's so much fun figuring out which ones you like best.